THEY won’t be topping the charts with their songs but they’ve got bags of enthusiasm.

New drop-in singing sessions have started in Blackbird Leys for over-50s looking to raise the roof with some well-know tunes.

The free two-hour classes run at the Clockhouse Community Centre in Long Ground, Greater Leys.

It is not the first time singing has come under the spotlight on Oxford’s largest estate.

In 2006, Blackbird Leys Choir featured in The Singing Estate, a channel Five series which transformed a group of 40 residents into a classical choir in three months, culminating in a performance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Meanwhile, at Windale Primary School in Blackbird Leys, teachers are convinced regular singing lessons have boosted pupils’ self esteem and academic standards.

Janet Stansfeld and Liz Hodgson have been teaching the group rang from sea shanties to African anthems. Ms Stansfeld said: “What’s lovely about it is we have a mixture of people – some of them are confident singers and some people think they can’t, and to see how quickly they get singing and in harmony with each other is great.”

Community worker Sally Meachim said: “If you come in worried about things, by the end you have cheered up and you go out feeling much happier.”

  • Anyone from the Blackbird Leys area is welcome to attend the classes, which run every Tuesday between 1.30pm and 3.30pm until Tuesday, July 13.

No previous singing experience is required and everything is taught by ear.

Songs will be recorded on a CD at the end which everyone can have a copy of.

Funding for the course has been made available thanks to local music organisation Oxford Lieder.

For more information call Sally Meachim on 01865 395908.